Chapter 2
Later that week, Daniel sat on the bench as the Wildcats played the Hornets from Josette Junior High. The first half had been very close, so Coach T started the five top players in the second, too.
That meant not Daniel.
Dwayne Illy drove hard to the basket and was fouled. From the line he got two points. The second half was starting just how the coach wanted.
On the next drive, Isaac Roth, starting point guard, stopped at the top of the key. He pumped once to fake a shot.
The Hornets defender was totally fooled, and Isaac got a clear pass to Dwayne as he drove the lane.
Dwayne caught the pass and laid up the ball in one motion. It was smooth.
All five starters high-fived and cheered. Daniel did his best to cheer too, but it was hard to be excited when he was spending the whole game on the bench.
The rest of the second half went just as well. Dwayne Illy got sixteen more points from the line and six from the floor.
With two minutes left in the game, the Westfield Wildcats were up by twenty points.
“All right, you guys,” Coach T said to the five players on the bench, including Daniel. “Here’s your chance to shine.”
The five starters took a seat on the bench, and the five second-string players took the court. Daniel could tell that the other guys weren’t very excited. They all knew the coach only played them when the Wildcats had the game in the bag.
“Guys,” Daniel said to the other second-stringers. “Let’s make the most of this.”
“What do you mean?” asked Sam Yohai, the point guard.
“All we have to do is wind the clock down, right?” Daniel asked. “Well, I think we should put a few points up there. Let’s show Coach T that we’re as good as those starters.”
Sam looked at Daniel and the other second-stringers. “But,” he said slowly, “we’re not.”
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Listen,” he said, “just get me the ball one time so I can drive. You’ll see.”
Play started, and Sam called a play from the top of the key. Daniel cut across the key, caught Sam’s pass, and drove for the hoop.
Daniel’s defender gave him enough space, and Daniel went for the layup.
Brick!
With a thud, the ball slapped into the bottom of the rim and fell hard, right into the hands of the Hornets center. He heaved the ball up the court to the Hornets star player, who scored easily.
“All right, guys,” Coach T called. He looked right at Daniel. “That’s enough showing off out there. Just hold the lead, okay?”
Daniel sighed. Great, he thought. This was my chance, and I messed it up.
“See?” Sam said. “Let’s just finish this.”
Daniel shook his head. “I guess this is why we’re second-string,” he mumbled.